Approval rates
Comparing a judge's performance requires looking at consistent timeframes. While Maria E. Quant maintains a 72% lifetime approval rate, her latest-period data shows a 70% approval rate, which is 2 percentage points below the San Juan office average of 72%. These figures are drawn from 986 lifetime decisions, providing a stable statistical foundation. These rates reflect historical trends rather than specific outcomes for your case.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Quant's docket. Annual rates fluctuate with the mix of cases SSA assigns; the longer-run pattern is more informative than any single year.
Decision pattern
Since 2023, the approval trend for Maria E. Quant has shifted from an 82% rate in her initial reporting period to a steady 70% in the most recent data. This pattern reflects a total of 986 decisions on record. While the latest-period denial rate stands at 30%, the volume of cases suggests a consistent approach to evaluating evidence. The recent stability in her approval rate indicates a settled pattern in how she processes disability claims.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Quant's bench. Judge-specific preparation guidance requires a corpus of public Appeals Council decisions involving each judge, which we haven't built yet.
- Bring a clean treating-physician record. Longitudinal primary-care or specialist notes spanning the disability period, with consistent symptom documentation, are typically the strongest evidence at hearing. A single month's records usually aren't enough.
- Don't rely on consultative exams alone. If your medical evidence is built primarily around a one-time CE finding, expect detailed questioning. Supplement with treating-source statements where possible.
- Prepare for daily-activity questions. Have honest, specific answers about a typical day. Answers that conflict with the medical record (in either direction) tend to hurt credibility.
- Expect transferable-skills probing. A vocational expert will usually testify about jobs available to someone with your limitations. Your representative should be prepared to cross-examine.
About the San Juan hearing office
The San Juan hearing office serves claimants throughout Puerto Rico. As one of 11 judges on record at this location, Maria E. Quant contributes to a diverse bench with an office-wide lifetime approval range of 62% to 88%. You can expect a standard administrative process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can see the San Juan Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The San Juan hearing office utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment is essentially random. Across the 11 judges on record at this office since 2016, lifetime approval rates vary significantly, ranging from 62% to 88%. With 7 judges currently reporting in the latest SSA data, you may be assigned to any member of this bench. The guidance for your hearing remains consistent regardless of which judge you are assigned.
Approval rates change with a lawyer
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.
Frequently asked questions
Maria E. Quant holds a 72% lifetime approval rate, which sits within the office-wide range of 62% to 88%. While she is one of 11 judges on record at the San Juan office, her latest-period approval rate is 2 percentage points lower than the office average. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively for this specific office.
Yes, the data shows a transition from an 82% approval rate in 2023 to a 70% rate in the most recent 2026 reporting period. This trend is based on 986 lifetime decisions. If you are concerned about how these trends might impact your hearing, an attorney can help you prepare.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a randomized workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ALJs. Since you cannot control the assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely be questioned by the judge and potentially a vocational expert regarding your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions Maria E. Quant may ask.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and is not a guarantee of your outcome. Maria E. Quant has approved 710 of her 986 lifetime decisions. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical documentation and how well your case meets the SSA's definition of disability. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.